Three Things to Know about Dog Bite Cases

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 7, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Every dog owner knows the joy that their pet can bring them and their family. But, like any creature, dogs are not perfect. About 1.5% of the US population gets a serious dog bite each year, and many of these cases cause serious injury that merits compensation. Experienced personal injury attorneys like Cameron Yadidi Brock of the Law Offices of Burg and Brock see these tragic cases far too often. Here are several tips that may help you or a loved one avoid a dangerous dog bite situation.

1. Certain Dogs Are Much More Likely To Bite – While animal lovers often try to remove negative stigmas off of certain canine breeds, it is a statistical fact that certain breeds bite more than others. At the very least, they are more likely to be involved in a gruesome attack. Over the course of a three year study, it was found that pit bulls were responsible for 59% of all dog bite fatalities. Another study found that Molossers, a type of dog that includes many large breeds including pit bulls, Rottweilers, mastiffs and boxers, are responsible for 81% of all attacks that "induce bodily harm" despite only comprising just over 9 percent of the US dog population. Also, it was found that someone is 6.2 times more likely to be bitten by a male dog than a female dog.
2. They Happen in Familiar Places and More Commonly Than Many Think – Over 1000 people per day are sent to the hospital because of a dog bite. What makes that number even more shocking is that only 1 out of every 5 dog bites results in an injury that requires medical attention. Between 1 and 2 percent of the US population is bitten by a dog each year. In fact, dog bites are the fifth most common injury that causes an emergency room visit for children. And, while when many who envision a dog bite picture someone being attacked by a dog on the street, the truth is that the majority of dog bites are from a dog that the victim knows. According to one figure, 77% of all dog bites are from the dog of a friend or family member. Even if a friend's dog appears to be restrained, it can still be dangerous. Despite the limited mobility, dogs that are chained up are 2.6 times more likely to bite than unchained dogs.
3. Seek Immediate Medical Attention – While you should always consult a doctor in the case of a dog bite that breaks the skin, there are several things you can do immediately to fend off the risk of an infection. Once any bleeding subsides, wash the site with soap and water and apply an antibiotic ointment and bandage. Before going to the doctor, it's also important to find out whether or not the dog has had recent rabies vaccinations.

If you are unlucky enough to be bitten by a dog, call the Law Offices of Burg & Brock at 888-509-2998 for a free initial consultation. You can also visit the Law Offices of Burg and Brock on the web at www.legaldefenders.com, and at Cameron Yadidi's Facebook page.

PR submitted by: Cyberset.com

SOURCE The Law Offices of Burg & Brock, Inc.

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